Kinston Police Department Welcomes New Member, Thomas “Levi” Scott. Photo: Neuse News

Yesterday, the Kinston Police Department added a new face to its force as they swore in Thomas “Levi” Scott. Born on April 16, 2014, Levi lives with Cardiofaciocutaneous Syndrome, or CFC Syndrome, and uses a wheelchair for mobility.

With the combined efforts of Kinston Police Detective Sydni Greene and local resident Colleen Kosinski, Levi was gifted a custom police car costume for his wheelchair, enhancing it with a siren. His costume also consisted of a Kinston Police Department uniform, hat, and handcuffs.

The young enthusiast has always expressed a keen interest in law enforcement, noting, "I want to be a police officer."

The official swearing-in ceremony was led by Kinston Police Department Chief Keith Goyette. However, as the process began, Scott became momentarily overwhelmed. With the calm and gentle assistance of Detective Greene, he was able to triumphantly complete his swearing-in.

His mother, Myra, and brothers, Joel and Gabriel, looked on with pride as Levi took his oath and joined the ranks of the Kinston police. After he was sworn in, Sergeant McLawhorn asked Officer Scott if he was ready, and then provided him with a ticketing book and a pen.

The first ticket Scott said he was going to write was for his mother, “For speeding.”

Chief Goyette expressed his excitement about the newest member, stating, "We're just happy to have Officer Scott here at the Police Department. We're extremely excited and we've already put him to work. He's already issued 2 warning tickets, so he's ahead of the game. He's ready."

This heartwarming event showcases the spirit of community support and the dreams of a young boy aspiring to make a difference.